Exactly like humans, dogs prefer different foods. One dog might really love meat, while another might love vegetables. And while what your dog likes is very important, sometimes their health might require a certain diet. Some dog owners might want to feed their pet vegan dog food, but don’t know enough about it. This article discusses the differences between a meat-based diet and a vegan one. Is the Taste of the Wild the one your dog needs, or should you go for more of a vegetative taste? Let’s see!
Can Dogs Be Vegan?
The first thing every dog owner asks when this topic is being discusses is if dogs can really be vegan. To put it simply, yes, dogs can be vegan while being healthy, and living long lives. Dogs are not like their friends, the cats, and are not obligatory carnivore. Some dogs even love veggies, and actually prefer them. Dogs can absorb all the nutrients they need from plant-based sources. A study published by ScienceDirect, shows that vegan dog food is associated with lowered risks of certain health disorders!
No matter if you feed your dog a meat or vegan diet, it still needs to be nutritionally balanced, in order for it to be healthy for your dog. Some pet owners live under the impression that a meat-based diet is the healthiest diet for their dog, but throughout this article you are going to find out more about that. And some other people want to put their dogs on vegan dog food, but are afraid that it’s not healthy enough for a dog. If you are one of those people, don’t be scared, because the studies show something else!
Healthy Dog Food: What Is Required?
There are a few things that you need to make sure are present in your dog’s bowl. Some of these are: L-Carnitine, taurine, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s very important that all of these can be found in the food you feed to your pet.
• Protein – There are several vegetables from which dogs can take the necessary amount of protein, like: peas, chickpeas, soy, lentils, maize, and quinoa.
• Vitamins and minerals – You dog also needs some vitamins, like B12, iron, calcium and zinc.
• Fiber – Your pet needs a digestible plant-based diet. This is because dogs have a shorter digestive track than herbivores.
• Fatty acids – These help keep the dog’s skin and coat healthy. Fatty acids can be found in chia seeds and algal oil.
• L-Carnitine and taurine – When buying dog food check the ingredients for these. A lot of dog foods don’t have these in the composition, and they are quite important.
If you want your dog to be healthy and happy, all of these must be a part of what your dog is eating. You can find vegan dog food with all of these included, ready to be served to your dog.
What Is the Taste of the Wild?
Taste of the Wild is, as the name says, dog food that tastes like wilderness. This type of food is definitely not vegan. It’s usually a combination of meat (like bison, lamb, beef, and salmon), egg products, and oils. Even if your dog is on this kind of diet, you still need to make sure it receives vitamins, and so on. This is why this kind of food is usually combined with seeds, oils, dried roots, and forest fruits.
You can find different assortments of Taste of the Wild, like the one that has the taste of a prairie. What does a prairie taste like, you might ask? Well, it tastes of bison, of peas and canola oil, and of sweet potatoes. On the other hand, you can feed your dog the taste of a river. Which is the tastes of salmon, salmon oil, blueberries, and tomatoes. Delicious, right? There are a lot of different foods that you can feed your dog, until you find the one, he likes the most, and the one that is most fitted for him.
The Differences Between a Meat-Based Diet and a Vegan Diet
While both of these diets are great for your dog, the vegan one requires a bit more care, just to make sure that your dog have all the nutrients necessary. But this doesn’t make it less healthy or delicious. Even if a meat-based diet can be easier to digest for dogs; a lot of dogs struggle with high-fat meats, which leads to digestive problems. The gut microbiome diversity happening thanks to vegan dog food can improve the dog’s long-term health. These don’t make these two diets enemies, but just different.
A meat-based diet supports muscle maintenance, while a plant-based one reduces the risk of obesity and heart diseases. One has a higher digestibility, while the other has lower cholesterol. The most important fact though, is that a balanced diet, no matter is it’s vegan or meat-based, can keep your dog healthy. Both diets have pros and cons, this is why it is more important to concentrate on your dog receiving all the nutrients it needs, rather than where he gets them from. One dog might food that supports muscles, while another one has problems with obesity; therefore, you need to choose accordingly.
While deciding what diet to go for, your dog’s health should be your priority. Go to the vet and see if your pet has any allergies, or other health problems. If that’s not the case, you could allow your dog to try both. But, remember to always discuss with a vet all of this diet changes. If you change your dog’s diet, do regular check-ups to makes sure that everything’s going well.
Conclusion
Whether you want your dog to have a Taste of the Wild, or a taste of all the veggies in the garden, the nutrients are what actually matters. A balanced and healthy diet is what you want for your pet. Doing your research consulting with your vet about every detail, and buying high-quality food should be enough to keep your dog in great condition!